Vinyl pressings
by Depeche Mode · 1997
Barrel Of A Gun was first pressed on vinyl in 1997. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1997, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
12 BONG 25 - A1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE 4 PR-MRunout side A, variant 1
12 BONG 25 - B1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE D PR-MRunout side B, variant 1
12 BONG 25 - A1 MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE C PR-mRunout side A, variant 2
12 BONG 25 - B1 MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE D PR-mRunout side B, variant 2
L 12 BONG 25 - AI PR-M MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGERunout, side A, etched, variant 1
L 12 BONG 25 - BI PR-M MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGERunout, side B, etched, variant 1
L 12 BONG 25 - A1 PR-m L MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE .Runout, side A, etched, variant 2
L 12 BONG 25 - B1 PR-m K MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE ⋅Runout, side B, etched, variant 2
7-17409-A-SRI KMA-Side Runout Etching
7-17409-B-SRI KMB-Side Runout Etching
7-17409-AA-Side Label
7-17409-BB-Side Label
0-43828-A-SRI SRCSide A
0-43828-B-SRI SRCSide B
P12 BONG 25 - AI PR-M Mikes's - The ExchangeA
P12 BONG 25 - BI PR-M Mikes's - The ExchangeB
PR-m P12 BONG 25 - A1 MIKE`S - THE EXCHANGERunout side A, etched, variant 1
PR-m P12 BONG 25 - B1 MIKE`S - THE EXCHANGERunout side B, etched, variant 1
PR-m P12 BONG 25 - A1 MIKE`S - THE EXCHANGE BRunout side A, etched, variant 2
PR-m P12 BONG 25 - B1 MIKE`S - THE EXCHANGE BRunout side B, etched, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | UK | Mute P12BONG25First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Mute PL12BONG25First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Mute PL12 BONG 25First year12", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Mute 12 BONG 2512", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1997 | US | Reprise Records 7-17409 / Mute 7-17409First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1997 | US | Reprise Records 0-43828 / Reprise Records 9 43828-0First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1997 | US | Reprise Records PRO-A-8600 / Mute PRO-A-8600First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Mute P12 BONG 25First year12", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1997 | Germany | Mute INT 129.104 / Mute 12BONG25First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1997 | UK | Mute 12BONG25First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1997 | UK | Mute L12BONG25First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Barrel Of A Gun are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1997, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Mute 12BONG25, released February 3, 1997.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12BONG25, L12BONG25, 7-17409, 0-43828) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 BONG 25 - A1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE 4 PR-M and 12 BONG 25 - B1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE D PR-M. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
